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Here and There on the Turf i Stimulation Rule Hits Innocent Doping Is No Longer a Bugaboo Trainers Deserve Protection Greater Need of Faith Apparent The last quite properly hasnt been heard of the rule in effect in most states whereby any trainer whose horse has been found stimulated shall be suspended for sixty days That the stimulation of horses is no longer a practice is proven beyond question by the comparatively few positive reports among thousands of saliva tests taken annually and in all such cases the trainers have been penal ¬ ized under the rule whether or not they were actually guilty or had knowledge of the stimulation because they were held account ¬ able for their horses Some of the horsemen to suffer under the rule were guiltless of the charge but to make the stimulation regula ¬ tion effective it was the will of the racing commissioners that the trainers must keep their stables under rigid supervision and be responsible responsibleAs As the stimulation evil gradually but surely disappeared many trainers relaxed in vigilance over their stables as would be only natural Consequently horses have been reached by outsiders through bribery of stable help or personal contact some of them being stimulated others drugged to prevent them from running their races as has been particularly the case In several New York instances Realizing the gravity of the sit ¬ uation the New York State Racing Commis ¬ sion has increased its supervision over Metropolitan racing and now requires veteri ¬ nary inspection of horses before they are brought to the paddock to determine if their condition Is natural On the Metropolitan circuit and elsewhere greater protection is being given the stable areas but many tracks still are loath to take this added ex ¬ pense upon themselves themselvesLatest Latest stimulation case to arouse interest particularly among horsemen is that involv ¬ ing Tom B Young who now is under man ¬ datory suspension of sixty days from the Kentucky State Racing Commission because of the saliva test on his filly Nanita at La tonia October 6 showing a positive reaction Continued on thirtyninth page HERE AND THERE ON THE TURF Continued from second page Young appeared before both the Latonia stewards and the Kentucky Commissioners and protested his innocence both as to par ¬ ticipation in and knowledge of the stimula ¬ tion of Nanita We rather think everyone of the stewards and commissioners believed him certainly all of the horsemen weve talked with about the matter are absolutely convinced that about the last thing Young would do would be to stimulate one of his horses born as he was into the racing and breeding of thoroughbreds and reared in the glorious traditions of the sport sportBelieving Believing in Young as they do horsemen see in his situation great danger to them ¬ selves If a trainer who operates his stable properly at all times can be the innocent victim of such a serious situation why cant it happen to them They realize that even the utmost precautions such as strict super ¬ vision over their stables exercised through watchmen and trusted grooms sometimes can fail Some trainers in selfprotection have vested the titles of their office in others so that they may escape unscathed the con ¬ sequences of any trouble which may develop in their stables but anything that is con ¬ trary to the code of racing is hardly the answer Out of the Young and similar cases has come an increased demand for the re ¬ ceiving barn as exists in California and whereby horses are interned under commis ¬ sion supervision for several hours before the time for them to race raceDiscussion Discussion of the antistimulation rule un ¬ doubtedly will take place at the next annual meeting of the National Association of State Racing Commissioners in Florida next Feb ¬ ruary because more than one delegate has expressed himself as interested in the Young and similar cases The present regulation in every respect is a protection to the public as has been proved but the trainers should not be kept on the spot as they are at present Boosters of the receiving barns say it will provide the answer At least it will make the prerace examination of horses a simple matter What will improve this con ¬ dition is a greater expression of faith by racings rulers in those who provide the show In America it is the custom that a man is innocent until proven guilty but rac ¬ ing seemingly has gone beyond the limits of this practice
